Dear Parishioners:
We are delighted to continue with the Phase 2, Stage 4 of the Safe Reopening of St. Nicholas Cathedral. The same processes that were successfully implemented in June 2020 - February 2021 will be applied to March 2021.
Lately, we have observed a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in the DMV area and nationwide. Therefore, we would like to remind you that even though you have the opportunity to participate in the Divine Liturgies in March, you are under NO OBLIGATION to do so during these very challenging times! We urge you to continue to monitor the situation which changes daily and do what is in the best interest of you and your family.
Your health and safety are of utmost priority! There is no guilt nor shame in keeping you, your loved ones and the parish community safe! Please feel comfortable in choosing to stay home, pray and be safe than risk your well-being to the pandemic.
To participate in March, please complete the survey to help identify cohorts of 23 parishioners per the Divine Liturgy and 10 parishioners for the Sunday Communion only. The surveymust be completed by EACH member of the household interested in attending the Divine Liturgy or Sunday Communion Only. The survey is short (less than 3 minutes) and must be submitted before 11:00 pm on Friday, February 26.
Here is an overview of the attendance process:
On Monday, June 22, 2020, the District of Columbia entered into Phase Two of reopening and on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon gave his blessing to St. Nicholas Cathedral to enter Phase 2, Stage 4 as outlined in the Synodal Directives of May 1, 2020 and evidenced in the chart below.
Note: St. Nicholas Cathedral closely monitors and follows all the DC Mayor's Orders related to the COVID-19 Public Emergency, including Order 2020-126 of December 16, 2020, and Order 2020-127 of December 18, 2020.
Click to enlarge
Specifically, the Metropolitan’s blessing directs St. Nicholas Cathedral only to “...celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and appropriate weekdays with the minimal crew (up to 23 people, or a few more when accounting for family units) and the safety precautions as described in your proposal. Anything beyond this, both in terms of types of services and number of parishioners will require the re-submittal of a proposal using the Archdiocesan form.”
With the Cathedral’s reopening to a larger group of parishioners, our goal remains the same: to keep everyone safe and healthy and observe social distancing during the liturgy and prevent, as much as possible, the spreading of COVID-19 within our community.
To help you make an informed decision about whether you would feel safe attending the liturgy or communion, we have included an outline of the Cathedral's already established preparation processes. These procedures have proven to create safe environment as per the testimonies of the parishioners who participated in the earlier phase of the Re-Opening. Please see the outline below.
As we continue with this Phase, the outlined procedures and processes are subject to change. We strongly rely on your patience, help, cooperation and understanding. May the Lord further deepen our appreciation for the Orthodox values and the importance of unity, respect, care and love for each other during this difficult period of time and beyond.
Outline of the Cathedral’s Preparations
To ensure personal safety as well as our compliance with the guidelines set by the District of Columbia, OCA, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, and the Cathedral’s Parish Council, the following are the Outline, Maps, Instructions and Important Notes to be observed by each parishioner.
Important: Again, there might be modifications to the below processes. Any changes will be reflected and communicated to you. Thank you for your respect, patience and support!
1. Schedule of the Divine Liturgies and Sunday Communion Only
The Parish Council and a group of volunteers have been reorganizing and sanitizing the premises as well as working on the safe reopening plan launched originally on Saturday, July 11, 2020. The March Schedule will include 4 English Divine Liturgies, Slavonic Divine Liturgies and 4 Sunday Communion Only on the following days:
4 (four) English Divine Liturgies with twenty three (23) parishioners attending
from March 7 through March 28
Sunday, March 7
Sunday, March 14
Sunday, March 21
Sunday, March 28
4 (four) Slavonic Divine Liturgies with twenty three (23) parishioners attending
from March 6 through March 27
Saturday, March 6
Saturday, March 13
Saturday, March 20
Saturday, March 27
4 (four) Sunday Communion Only to be held outdoors with ten (10) parishioners
attending from March 7 through March 28
Sunday, March 7
Sunday, March 14
Sunday, March 21
Sunday, March 28
2. Maps for Observing Social Distancing
The interior of the Cathedral will be different from what you remember because of the steps we have taken to assure your safety and comply with the CDC regulations. To ensure social distancing and minimal contact, we have created 23 individual spaces. For detail, please see the attached maps/charts:
· Registration Map before entering the Cathedral (outside map of the Cathedral and outside map of the Annex) - we have marked the Cathedral's grounds as well as the Annex to make sure we have 23 designated lots - one per each parishioner - before registering for the liturgy. These maps will also be used for Sunday Communion Only.
· Entrance and Exit - before entering the Cathedral, the cohort of 23 parishioners will be split into 4 smaller groups to minimize contact:
· Group 1: Numbers 1 through 7
· Please click here for Group 1 Entrance
· Please click here for Group 1 Exit
· Group 2: Numbers 8 through 12
· Please click here for Group 2 Entrance
· Please click here for Group 2 Exit
· Group 3: Numbers 13 through 17
· Please click here for Group 3 Entrance
· Please click here for Group 3 Exit
· Group 4: Numbers 18 through 23
· Please click here for Group 4 Entrance
· Please click here for Group 4 Exit
· Designated location - each designated location is tape outlined.
· Communion - please remove your mask before receiving Holy Communion and put it back on immediately thereafter. Please see the map to receive Holy Communion.
· Group 1: Numbers 1 through 7
· Group 2: Numbers 8 through 12
· Group 3: Numbers 13 through 17
· Group 4: Numbers 18 through 23
· Restroom - If you need to use the restroom, please let the usher know and he/she will escort you downstairs. Only one person is allowed to use the restroom at a time.
3. Mandatory Pre-Registration Process
As per the Preventative Measures of the Synodal Directives Towards a Re-opening of our Churches effective May 1, 2020, every action has been taken to safeguard the well-being of our parishioners. The cohorts of parishioners will need to fill in the Pre-Registration Form in a timely manner. The Pre-Registration form will be open for submission between 6:00 pm Thursday and 12:00 pm Friday.
4. Arrival time for Divine Liturgies and Sunday Communion - each group is expected to arrive at the time designated below. Due to the check-in process we are adamant that you arrive on time:
· Group 1: Numbers 1 through 7
· Arrive at 8:30 am
· Group 2: Numbers 8 through 12
· Arrive at 8:30 am
· Group 3: Numbers 13 through 17
· Arrive at 8:40 am
· Group 4: Numbers 18 through 23
· Arrive at 8:40 am
· Sunday Communion Only
· Arrive at 10:05 am
Services will begin at the serving priest's discretion as soon as the majority of parishioners have arrived. That's why we strongly request to arrive at the time, scheduled for your designated group.
5. Check-in process - each Divine Liturgy and Sunday Communion Only are preceded by the registration/check-in process that includes:
· Signing of the Acknowledgement Form (click here to view; no need to print) which must be signed at the door each morning before the Divine Liturgy and not earlier;
· Sanitizing your hands;
· Taking your body temperature.
6. PPE: A face mask must be on before entering the church and through the entire service. Please carry an extra face mask with you at all times.
Other Important Notes:
· There will be no icons to venerate in order to eliminate sources of the COVID-19 viral transmission. Please do not venerate the frescoes either;
· Candles will be lit before each service as the Candle Counter will remain closed through the end of Phase Two;
· No kissing, touching or hugging are allowed before, during or after the service;
· Bow to venerate the frescoes, the Holy Communion cup, the priest’s hand, and the cross;
· A basket will be near the exit doors in case you would like to leave an offering. You can also make your donation through the Cathedral’s website.
We hope the above outline helps you be better prepared for the service in March 2021. Please click here to go to the survey and we hope to see you at the Divine Liturgies or Sunday Communion Only.
With love in Christ,
Father George Kokhno
Father Valery Shemchuk
Claire Nobles, President
The St. Nicholas Parish Council